Thoughts on the growth of Lae

By DIANA NIZETTE, a “very ordinary housewife”

I cannot claim to be a B4—that is, here before the war—but 1 am a territorian because my entry permit says so. We came to Lae almost 11 years ago, and the changes since then! Little boutiques seem to be springing up everywhere and I can’t help but comment on the difference in my shopping schedule.

We still have our shortages, and some new arrivals still com plain, but it doesn’t take long to know where to go for this and that. Remember the days when we inquired first if the flour was “with” or “without”?

The weevils were no real bother because they came out in the sifting.

Once our magazines had to come by postal subscription, now we have two news-agencies; make up and perfume had to be bought when we were on leave, now we have two pharmacies, and a number of stores carry an excellent range; shoes were almost impossible to get; patterns, except by special order, quite out of the question (do you remember try ing to buy a button?). And fresh fruit came in only once every six weeks.

All of these things are now in almost constant supply.

We have five stores which sell stylish frocks; two gift shops; several shops with an excellent range of men’s clothing; and even an artist’s supply shop. This art shop also stocks a fantastic range of paper-backs, from children’s books to the Latin and Greek classics.

We now boast a laundry and dry cleaners and—would you be lieve it?—you can buy fish-and chips at the market!

We do lack in Lae now an eating house where the visitor may have a midday meal or snack. Our two milk bars close at noon, and not everyone knows they may eat in the club dining rooms. Not everyone may want to go to the hotel or motel where, quite naturally, charges are higher.

And there is no provision for that “after-the-pictures” snack, and one assumes that courting couples say goodnight on an empty stomach. There is a rumour that a building now going up in 2nd Street is to house a coffee lounge.

Lae is a lovely spot, daily growing more beautiful. New buildings are mostly quite elegant, and no longer boxes with an awning over the footpath. I am happy here and hope to stay for many more years.

There is one thing, though. I do wish I didn’t have to send to Sydney each time I want a hank of darning wool!

A scene in busy Lae.